Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is common. Severe pain or pain that is associated with red flags should be discussed with your doctor right away. An urgent office visit or even an emergency room visit may be necessary depending upon your specific complaints. Red flags that should prompt discussion with your doctor include fever, diarrhea, persistent constipation, blood in the stools, persistent nausea or vomiting, vomiting blood, severe tenderness of the abdomen or pelvis, jaundice (yellowish discoloration of the skin) or swelling of the abdomen.

The doctor often makes a diagnosis for the abdominal pain after obtaining a history and performing a physical exam. In other circumstances, diagnostic tests are used to confirm or to exclude a specific diagnosis. Many tests can be ordered for these purposes. They may include analysis of blood, urine and stool samples, x-rays of the abdomen, upper endoscopy (EGD), colonoscopy and small bowel video capsule endoscopy.